By Bronwyn Hastings

Student engagement and interaction with exhibitors was evident at Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN’s Western Victorian Careers Expo at Longerenong yesterday.

About 2000 school-leavers and jobseekers attended the 40th annual event, which WSMLLEN executive officer Vanessa O’Loughlin said was ‘fantastic’.

“It was great to have all the students and the schools at the expo, we had great numbers,” she said.

“The exhibitors reported a high level of engagement in the questions attendees were asking and in the way they presented themselves, which was fantastic. 

“It’s really great – we were really excited – the students were asking great questions, and there were plenty of parents too, it was a fantastic opportunity.”

Mrs O’Loughlin said this year a slight re-design to the expo’s layout gave attendees more room, with exhibitors’ displays ‘taken to a new level’.

“Each year our exhibitors try really hard and build on previous years – there were plenty of robotics and plenty of trades – it was fantastic,” she said.

Exhibitor Rhianna Williams, a case practice support worker with Department of Family, Fairness and Housing, said she was passionate about careers expos.

“Just last year, I was on the other side of the table,” she said.

“I am so passionate about careers expos, because I myself came to an expo, and looked for the career that I wanted to go into. 

“I went to exhibitors for universities, Uniting, Department of Family, Fairness and Housing, and Grampians Health, and I spoke to people.  

“I’m such a big advocate for networking, it is the best thing you can do.”

Ms Williams said she became a case practice support worker after being supported through the application process by staff.

“They were so supportive and they were very knowledgeable – the people on the expo stands, they know what they’re talking about,” she said.

“And, 365 days later, I’m on this side of the table.” 

Ms Williams is now working in an entry-level position and is studying her Bachelor of Social Work. 

“I’m studying online, with some in-person intensives, and it’s so easy to navigate online,” she said. 

“I can figure out my uni-work-life myself because I’m in charge of when I do uni and when I can work – it’s so easy.”